View full sizeDavid Lassman / The Post-StandardSyracuse police officers Bill Schroeder (left) and Steve Klock take photos as they investigate the scene in a vacant lot on McAlister Avenue where a body was found Saturday afternoon. The body, which has been identified as Carnell E. Marshall, had been removed from this area minutes before.

Syracuse, NY -- The relatives of a Syracuse man found dead Saturday behind a South Salina Street tire store became worried Friday when they couldn't reach him.

The body of Carnell E. Marshall, 27, of 113 Maris Drive, was discovered around 10:30 a.m. in a vacant lot behind Mavis Discount Tire Store, 2527 S. Salina St., police said. The cause of Marshall's death is still undetermined, but “there are circumstances that make this death appear to be suspicious, Syracuse police Sgt. Thomas Connellan said Sunday.

His mother, Johnnie Mae Grainger, last saw him shortly after 7 p.m. Thursday on her way to church. She asked him to call later; he never did.

His former girlfriend, Leslie Melendez, last heard from him Thursday night as they planned his visit to see their three children over the weekend. He never showed up.

His niece, Stacey Hardnett, said she got a text from him shortly before midnight Thursday. In the text, Marshall said he was with longtime acquaintances, but suggested he might be concerned for his safety, she said.

She tried to call him later, but there was no answer. Later, his phone went directly to voicemail, Hardnett said.

On Friday, Hardnett texted him, “You good?” but got no answer, she said. Other family also became worried. On Saturday morning, they reported Marshall’s disappearance to police, Hardnett said.

Marshall’s body was found by a man attending a seminar at the nearby Reformed Presbyterian Church. The pastor, Andrew Schep, called police.

Marshall’s residence was a little more than two miles from the vacant lot where he was found. Maris Drive is located south of Seneca Turnpike, while the tire store is just north of Brighton Avenue.

On Sunday, the church’s congregation held an extended prayer for the victim — whose name they did not yet know — and for peace and justice, said Chris Huggins, a deacon at the church. Now the man has been identified, the church hopes to reach out to his family, Huggins said.

Family described Marshall as a man who did his best to be a good father after separating from their mother, Melendez. He often took the older children, Alaya Kristianovich, 10, and Zachary Marshall, 8, with him on weekends. They’d watch movies at his house and play laser tag, Melendez said.

Recently, he was getting to know their youngest son, Jayden Marshall, 9 months, who also lived with Melendez. Marshall spent a few hours most days with her and their children, helping in any way he could, she said.

“He was a pretty good guy,” Melendez said. “Real good father for the kids. He was always here to help us.”

Marshall held a number of different jobs, most recently at a FedEx warehouse, she said.

Police are asking anyone with information about Marshall or the circumstances surrounding his death to call detectives at (315) 442-5222. Police also are looking to talk to anyone who witnessed a disturbance or fight between Thursday and Saturday in the area of South Salina Street and McAllister Avenue. All calls will be kept confidential.

Catie O’Toole contributed to this report. Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 470-6070.